VoR Newsletter Issue 1 - 2019

no.35

READER OFFER INSIDE

Rheidol Review Newsletter

Celebrating 1 989 - 2 0 1 9

YEARS

of Private Ownership

Photo by James Corbett

Issue 1 - 2019

www.rheidolrailway.co.uk

Telephone us: 01970 625 819 - Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG Regular steam train services running throughout the year

Photo by John R Jones

Welcome

A new year is upon us...

H

appy new year! Welcome to the first newsletter of 2019.

I’d like to start by looking at all that was achieved by the VoR team during 2018. The launch of our first wheelchair accessible carriage, the return to traffic of locomotive No.7, the securing of the grant allowing us to begin our ‘Wales to the World’ project, and that’s just the three largest headlines.

So what will 2019 bring? In my opinion it will bring many exciting things, the first train to depart our new platform for one. Something to whet the appetites for February, the first engine to haul a passenger train from the new platform is planned to be No.7, adding another accolade to the engine’s history. It is then planned that No.7 will operate throughout February, welcome news for those that have been looking forward to the engine’s return.

On the 14th & 15th September we will be hosting the ‘Forgotten Engines 2’ Steam Festival, which will feature all three ‘Rheidol Tanks’ in steam together for the first time since the mid 1980s. There will also be three mystery visiting engines which have not been on public

C O N T E N T S

Page 3

News

Page 4

2019 Events

Page 5

Workshop Updates

Page 9

Volunteers

Page 11 Mines of the Rheidol Valley Page 14 An image from the Archive Page 15 Picture Gallery Page 19 Influential People Page 21 2018 Round Up Page 23 Railway Reviews Page 24 Our Staff Page 25 Shop Products Page 27 Garden Railway Products Page 29 Timetable

display before, so certainly an event not to be missed.

A thought for this month, stems from a conversation with our shop manager Geraint.

We were discussing our mutual interest in Railway Modelling and the thought crossed my mind wondering how many of our readers model our engines, cariages or even our line itself.

We know of the magnificent layout of Devil’s Bridge built by Eddie & Rachael Field, but how many others are out there?

If any of our readers do model the VoR in any scale then please send in photos of your stock/layout to newsletter@ r h e i d o l r a i l w a y. co.uk for a future planned article, you could also send video clips of your rolling stock in action if you’d like to.

Gareth D Jones Editor

READER OFFER BUY O

NE

TICKE

T

E

GET ON

FREE is With th

coupon

Not Valid during July & August Cheapest Ticket Free. Voucher cannot be used in-conjunction with any other offer or concession Valid until 1st November 2019. 1 coupon per transaction

Page 2

Vale of Rheidol Railway News Progress on our Station Project - Wales to the World

I

n our last edition we announced our ÂŁ2.2 million project to develop our Aberystwyth site into a must see attraction within Wales. Work has been progressing at a rapid pace so that the new platform would be ready for our first trains of the season on 16th February. Here is selection of photographs showing progress since our last edition was published.

Work has included the erection of the framework for the toilet block and its roof, the filling of the area that will become the platform and the start of the slabs that will form the edging of the platform. The recreated GWR spear fencing that will surround our platform has also begun to be placed. Our permanent way team have also made a start on the trackwork modifications required for the new platform too. For more info on the project see: https://www.facebook.com/VoRWalestotheWorld

A close up of the recreated GWR spear fencin g

the site A general view of GWR ted rea rec the showing ing nc Fe Spear

The platform edging laid around the headshunt

The Permanent way team in action

The new toilet block takes shape

The platform edging being laid

Page 3

Celebrating 1 989 - 2 0 1 9

YEARS

of Private Ownership

2019 Events

COME AND VISIT OUR NEW STATION IN ABERYSTWYTH

• DRIVER FOR A FIVER - Footplate Experience

27th to 30th May & 15th July - 29th August 2019 (YELLOW & GREEN TIMETABLE DAYS) Drive a real steam engine at Devil’s Bridge station

• RIDE AND DINE EVENING EXCURSIONS

29th May, 21st July and 3rd, 7th, 10th, 14th, 17th, 21st & 24th August 2019 (GREEN TIMETABLE DAYS) Upgrade your ticket for a Fish and Chip supper at Devil’s Bridge station (see website for full menu)

• STEAM FESTIVAL WEEKEND - FORGOTTEN ENGINES

14th & 15th September 2019 Join us to celebrate 30 years of private ownership. 3 mystery engines, ‘hidden for decades’ will be on show plus see all 3 GWR Rheidol tanks in steam together for the first time in 20 years.

(Special timetable for weekend see website for details)

• MONSTER BALL - 1st November 2019

Join us for an adult only event on the ghoulish steam train journey through the Rheidol Valley to the Hafod Hotel, Devil’s Bridge for spooky entertainment and buffet.

• HALLOWEEN GHOST TRAIN - 29th, 30th & 31st October 2019.

Join us for a frightfully good trip up the Rheidol Valley!

SUNDAY LUNCH SPECIALS •Park Avenue,

3rd, 10th, 17th & 24th November 2019.

SY23 1PG End your weekend with an 819 extra special trip to Devils Bridge, taking Telephone : 01970 625 in the ever changing stunning scenery and stop at the Hafod Hotel info@rheidolrailway.co.uk for a sumptious roast before heading back.

Why follow us Charitynot No 1076037

Page 4

WORKSHOP

Garratt No.60

W

ork has begun on preparing the Garratt for service.

So far work has included the separation of the frames and power units, removing the boiler from the frames and stripping the small tubes from the boiler.

The boiler has received its cold exam from our boiler inspector.

Now the task of repair and reassembly can begin.

Page Page 5 5

UPDATE Carriage Project

T

he completion and entry to service of carriage 14 has enabled progress to be made on the rebuild of carriage 11, which will be the first of our observation carriages to be modified for wheelchair accessibility and to have its first class facility upgraded.

So far work has included stripping of the carriage interior and dismantling the internal walls that separated the compartments, removal of the windows and doors for safe keeping ready for later reuse, and taking off all exterior panelling. This has allowed access to the carriage’s framework, so it can be modified as part of the rebuild.

Page 6

To visit the 300ft Waterfalls, Punchbowl and 3 Bridges built one on top of the other, turn left from the train station and walk down the hill past the Hafod hotel (approx 5 minutes).

The Nature Trail circular walk includes views of the waterfalls, 3 Bridges, Robbers Cave and Jacobs Ladder (A steep flight of 100 continuous steps). It takes roughly 45 minutes and is a challenging walk with 675 steep steps. It is not suitable for pushchairs and those with walking difficulties. Adult £3.75 Child £2.00 20% discount on Nature trail walk by showing this advert to the attendant.

Not enough time for the long walk? Too many steps?

To view just the 3 Bridges and the Devil’s Punchbowl enter through the coin operated turnstile. Only £1.00 per person Recommended time 10 minutes.

CARAVAN PARK 01970 890233

Looking for somewhere to stay near the train station at Devil’s Bridge? Call our friendly staff and enquire about our 2 bedroom self catering bungalow or Gypsy Pod. Alternatively pitch a tent or bring your touring van or motor home.

We are situated just 10 minutes walk from the train station and 5 minutes walk from the waterfalls and Hafod Hotel & Brasserie. enquiries@woodlandsdevilsbridge.co.uk

Page 7

www.woodlandsdevilsbridge.co.uk

BUTTERFLY HOUSE CWMRHEIDOL

ABERYSTWYTH

- CAN YOU SPOT US FROM THE TRAIN? - ALLWCH CHI EIN GWELD NI O’R TRÊN?

TŸ GLÖYN BYW www.magicoflife.org

An Educational Charity based in Aberystwyth Reg. No 1,159,917 Tel. 01970 880928

Page 8

Vale of Rheidol Volunteers

A

By, Clive Higgs, Railway Volunteer

fter the heat of the summer the volunteers were still busy weeding the troughs and flower beds, deadheading flowers, cleaning the station buildings and tidying the car parks and platforms at Aberystwyth, Capel Bangor, Aberffrwd and Devil’s Bridge.

The Devil’s Bridge gardens have been weeded and tidied for the winter. The pruned azaleas are now starting to regrow, hopefully to flower next year.

Everyone was very relieved that the plants needed no more watering after the drought.

In July, Norah died of motor neurone disease, three days after visiting Nantyronen Halt for the last time. She had such happy times there and at Aberffrwd, working with the flowers and waving at the train passengers with her hands covered in compost.

The Nantyronen flowers continued to thrive until late October, thanks to more weeding and dead-heading.

Even then there were still many osteospermum flowers in the troughs and the monkshood flowers gave a grand display in the garden by the road.

In November the flowers died and all the volunteers had a hectic day overhauling and composting the garden and potting the trough plants to overwinter in a greenhouse. As a trial, the daffodil and tulip bulbs in the troughs were put into cubic plastic lamb-feed boxes filled with compost. The open

Page 9

boxes were put into the troughs, to be removed in late spring after the bulbs have flowered. This should allow the leaves to nourish the bulbs without leaving the decaying foliage in the troughs during May – well in theory! In the past jays have pulled out tulip bulbs and badgers have dug away the bulbs, so three layers of chicken netting have been tied over the trough tops. We shall see, .. perhaps jays with wire-cutters!

The paintwork at the Nantyronen, Devil’s Bridge and Aberffrwd signs have had minor repairs.

Over the summer the volunteers were too busy with the flowers to continue the repair of the western platelayers’ hut, opposite the 5¾ mile-post.

During September and October the hut-work resumed. We repaired and pulled upright the hut’s walls and door, replaced the rusty roof and its rotten timbers, rebuilt the top of the chimney and tidied the hut with fresh coats of creosote substitute. Work slowed during the small finishing jobs but after waiting for a dry day the chimney stack was mortared to the adjacent wall sleepers. Finished! There was no problem with the long walks along the track to and from the hut, except for the time when the tea-break’s water, twig-burning kettle, mugs, matches, kindling paper, milk, sugar and spoon were unloaded at the hut and the tea bags were missing.

Over the last few weeks, the volunteers have split into the two winter groups.

The “Tuesday Gang” have started painting many station seats in the old loco shed at Aberystwyth. Two seats have been dried, cleaned and painted.

The other gang are enjoying the rain at the railway’s wood below the signal and western platform at Aberffrwd Station. The thick undergrowth around the boundary has been cleared and now the rusty west boundary fence is being replaced by new fencing, wire and posts. The north boundary fence will have some minor repairs where trees have fallen on it. The ground is steep and getting slippery so temporary paths and steps are being scratched out.

The railway is a haven for rare wildlife, and also tamelife, like a robin joining the group to tidy away earthworms and Norah’s spaniel Susie helping the digging, like old times.

Before the first 2019 trains in late February, there are 10 more station seats to paint, the water tank at Devil’s Bridge will be washed and there will probably be general tidying of the stations. It is hoped to add much more compost to Aberffrwd’s large garden bed and plant some new berberis at the rear of the bed. 280 geranium minplugs have been ordered to arrive in March. These will hopefully be grown

inside during the late frosts until the end of May, when the flowering plants will be planted. But first of all, most volunteers are happily planning the important eating work at the Vale of Rheidol Railway Christmas Dinner.

Our volunteers meet once a week, and through their efforts our stations always look at their best no matter what the weather. If you wish to join our amazing band of volunteers helping to maintain our stations then please get in touch via email: info@rheidolrailway.co.uk Page 10

Iron wagon found in No. 8 Adit

Tynyfron Mine: A breakthrough into “lost” workings

By Ioan Lord

T

ynyfron Mine, situated a short distance west of Ystumtuen or Cwm Rheidol Mine, receives little description in my book Rich Mountains of Lead since all of the workings were assumed inaccessible until a few weeks ago. The mine’s history, however, is treated in detail. It was first worked during the Bronze Age about 4,000 years ago, and stopped producing in 1913.

The Bronze Age workings near Tynyfron Farm take the form of a deep shaft, which today was apparently full of rubbish and gave no access to the extensive mine workings beyond. In November 2018, myself and some friends decided to abseil down the huge shaft, in order to confirm this in light of recent Page 11

meetings with NRW regarding potential pollution from the mine.

The shaft was filled with rubbish after a vertical depth of about 70 feet, but at one end was a tiny gap between a kitchen sink and a car bonnet, through which we squeezed and surprisingly slid down into the open mine workings. We managed to access the entire mine, which accumulates to about a mile of workings. Much of this had not been accessed since the departure of the last miners in 1913, and many artefacts were found, photographed and recorded. In No. 8 Adit, the middle level, a superb artefact was found: a complete iron end-tipping wagon, still on its

2’ gauge rails, with its end-door and couplings intact. This is an excellent example of a typical late-nineteenth/early-twentieth century mine wagon, as many earlier examples have been constructed of wood with castiron frames. The Tynyfron wagon has a single end-door, opened by means of a latch on either side which is controlled by two long iron poles which run the length of the wagon (see photo).

Therefore, the door could be unlatched by the trammer standing and pushing the wagon from the other end.

Also present in the workings was a large number of ammonal tins, used as an explosive during the last period of working to replace gunpowder. In the

bottom level, the constant flow of water through the workings had washed down a large amount of debris, and this had caused a blow-out which occurred in the 1980s when the entrance to No. 9 Adit was swept away in a torrent of backed-up water.

Exploration was impossible along No. 9 Adit due to the 10foot deep mud along the floor, but the entire length of No. 8 was accessed and surveyed, including a long exploratory level leading east which was driven in the 1890s to try and find productive ore ground.

The discovery and access of the Tynyfron Mine workings is hugely significant, in the discovery of one of the best end-tipping mine wagons in midWales, as well as two partiallycollapsed ore-chutes (wooden slides used to pass ore from a

higher level into a wagon stood on the level below). Also found was a rare wooden kibble (ore bucket), and a ‘pricker’ which was used to prick a hole in clay which was used to pack shotholes, in order to create a slot large enough to push fuses into the charges. The ore from Tynyfron was exported on the Vale of Rheidol Railway from 1902 to 1913, via a tramway almost half a mile long which ran from No. 9 Adit to the mill and aerial ropeway terminus at Ystumtuen or Cwm Rheidol Mine.

Ioan has recently recorded one of his underground explorations on a helmet mounted camera. See some of the footage here: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=zytFGyuQWCE

‘Rich Mountains of Lead’ The Metal Mining Industry of Cwm Rheidol and Ystumtuen

by Ioan Lord Available for purchase in our shop or online £45

Another Iron wagon found in No. 8 Adit

Miner’s shovel and ammonal tin

Drawing of the Tynyfron wagon by I.Lord Drawing of the Tynyfron wagon, I. Lord

New section of Tynyfron Mine, illustrated by I. Lord N.B. These mines are on Private property and entry is forbidden unless by prior arrangement. Mines in the Valley are very dangerous owing to the vertical shafts and the potential for them to be hidden within woodland. Exploration should only be undertaken by experienced persons!

Page 12

Page 13

Vale of Rheidol Photo Archive

By Rob Bance,VoR Archivist

Devil’s Bridge Siding

I

n the February of 1984 we see Locomotive No.7 propelling a train into the siding at Devil’s Bridge, ready to be loaded with new ballast for part of the line which was undergoing renewal and maintenance. To the right of the photo you can see the bucket of a digger in the air ready to load one of the wagons. The train is made up of seven open wagons, one carriage and a brake van, which at the time still retained the British Railways blue livery.

Page 14

Photo: James Corbett

Picture Gallery

Photo: Ioan Lord

Photo: Wendy Thomas

Platform Posters

By Debbie Morgan, Marketing Manager

T

he roaring twenties were a time of great prosperity, as the economy boomed after World War I. The nation was intent on having fun and a jazz obsession swept the nation. Advertising at the time reflected the wealth of the nation, and a naivety and optimism that science was on the precipice of a golden age.

The 1920s were a strange time full of wacky fads, and too much trust in unproven science.

Advertisers were beginning to figure out what worked and what didn’t, and their enthusiastic ad copy would attempt to sway even the most incredulous purchasers.

The art deco style was seen as elegant and refined… the peak of modernity. Ads from this time period are actively sought by collectors because of their distinctive look.

This year we have invited local businesses to advertise on our platform in the style of 1920s’ adverts. These posters will be A1 size on aluminium boards so they will be hard wearing and weather proof.

Historically the stations were a key area to advertise and we look forward to seeing our stations in full use.

Below are some of the adverts that we have designed in readiness for our platforms. If you are a business that would benefit from over 60,000 visitors seeing your poster, then please get in contact with Debbie on 01970 625819 or debbie@rheidolrailway.co.uk for further information.

A ROOM with a VIEW

Gwesty’r Marine Hotel

Promenade, Aberystwyth

Freshly cooked Carvery every Sunday from 12.30pm to 2pm

To book call

01970 612444

www.gwestymarinehotel.co.uk

Page 18

I

nfluencial

P

eople

in VoR History

by Gareth Jones

B

Sir James Weeks Szlumper

orn in 1834, he was an English civil engineer and chief engineer on a number of key railway engineering projects during Victorian times.

Szlumper had homes in Kew and also owned Sandmarsh Cottage in Aberystwyth, which he made his family home upon marriage in 1867.

He started his working life with a London engineering firm, and in 1853 he became the Surveyor to the County of Cardiganshire, a role he filled for 25 years.

Alongside this role he was also for a time deputy engineer of the Manchester & Milford Railway. He also became civil engineer to the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railways, becoming a director in 1906.

James Szlumper was appointed company engineer of the Vale of Rheidol Light Railway alongside his half brother William Weeks Szlumper. James Szlumper also has another strong link to Aberystwyth, as in 1886 he designed Trefechan Bridge over the River Rheidol within the town.

When James Szlumper retired he moved to Richmond, Surrey, and twice became Mayor. He passed away 27 October 1926 and is buried in Richmond Cemetry.

B

James Metcalfe

orn in 1847 in Morda, nr Oswestry, he started his working life as an apprentice with the locomotive builder Sharp Stewart, where he was involved with the design and manufacure of injectors. He worked for them until 1867, when he joined the Manchester & Milford Railway at Aberystwyth as locomotive foreman.

Between 1875 & 1877 he filed for three patents for an improved exhaust steam injector for steam locomotives, which he developed with financial support from David Davies of Llandinam and Edward Hamer the General Manager of the Manchester & Milford Railway.

In April 1878, the Patent Steam Injector Company was founded at the Rheidol Foundry, Aberystwyth, this would develop into the Davies & Metcalfe company, which later moved to Romiley, Manchester.

The Davies & Metcalfe company only ever built two complete steam locomotives, these were No.1 ‘Edward VII’ & No.2 ‘Prince of Wales’ for the Vale of Rheidol Railway.

The companies only other involvement with steam locomotives as opposed to parts was when in 1902 they overhauled Snowdon Ranger and in 1903 overhauled Moel Tryfan on behalf of the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway.

The company Davies & Metcalfe is still extant today and is still involved in manufacturing parts for the rail industry, though arguably they are best known for the building of the original ‘Rheidol Tanks’ in 1902. James Metcalfe however passed away at his family home at Sychtyn, nr Oswestry, on 12 April 1920.

B

Oliver Veltom

orn in 1906, although a Cornishman he found a love for Wales, and adopted the VoR as his own. Often in BR days the line was referred to as Veltom’s Own Railway.

Veltom began his working life with the GWR and worked his way up the ranks during his British Railways service to become Area Manager at Oswestry being responsible for the former Cambrian Railways network throughout Shropshire & Mid Wales, until he retired in 1966.

Veltom also had a hand in assisting the early preservation effort on the Welshpool & Llanfair railway, by hiding the two locomotives (Earl & Countess) within Oswestry Works until they could be paid for.

On the VoR for the 1956 season Veltom arranged for the repainting of the three ‘Rheidol Tanks’ into BR (WR) green and the following year the engines received the orange & black lining usually reserved for the top link passenger locomotives. He was also responsible for the naming of the three engines, and the repainting of the carriages into Chocolate & Cream colours. Much of these actions was arranged by him without formal authority.

He passed away during 1980 and is commemorated with a plaque on the rock face just after Rheidol Falls Halt. Keep a look out for it on your next journey.

2

2018 Roundup

018 has been an exceptional year on the railway. It is thanks to the hard work and dedication of our loyal staff that many of our long term projects have reached fruition, whilst other exciting developments are just beginning.

Thanks to all those who supported us this year - either as a passenger travelling on the trains, attending one of our events or visiting our shops / cafe, we hope to see you again next year!

So much has happened in 12 months. Here are just a few 2018 highlights…

• Locomotive No 7 returned to service after a major overhaul and hauled its first trains in 20 years.

• All three of the “Rheidol tanks” are now available service, all now carry matching Great Western green, the first time for many years we have had a matching fleet. We even appeared on the front cover of “Steam Railway Magazine” • After years of work behind the scenes, we have had the green light to start the first phase of a major new station development for Aberystwyth. The scheme is being funded

by Welsh Government’s Tourism Attractor Destinations programme and will transform the visitor experience. Construction work began in November 2018 and the first of the new facilities will open in Spring 2019.

• Our workshops completed the contract overhaul of Talyllyn Railway No 3 “Sir Haydn” – it has been a regular performer on the TR since.

• Carriage No 15 (the former “vista car”) entered service as our first wheelchair accessible carriage, allowing ramped access onto trains for the very first time. Carriage 15 had been out of service since the early 1990s. Sister carriage No 14 has also been completed.

• Work has commenced on upgrading Page 21

brake composite carriage No 11 to provide wheelchair access, as well as a complete refurbishment of the first class compartment. A £250,000 grant from the Coastal Communities Fund is enabling the accessibility works to take place.

• This grant has helped us employ two additional apprentices to work on the carriage project.

• Some of our other apprentices have successfully completed their college studies.

• NGG13 Garratt No 60 has been stripped for mechanical overhaul, it is hoped it will be able to join the steam fleet in the near future.

• As well as a the regular timetable we ran a number of private charter trains, including two weddings, several photographic events and special excursions for corporate events.

• We were awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for the 5th year in a row.

• We were a finalist in the British Coach Tourism Awards - Coach Friendly Heritage Railway of the year category.

• Our Fish & Chip Trains, Jazz Night and Halloween trains were big successs.

• We held our first ever “Monster Ball” – a Halloween event for grown ups, • Our Marketing & Sales stand has visited the Game Fare, Great Dorset Steam Fair, National Eisteddfod Warley Model Railway Show and many other events across the

country. Our new mascot Dyffryn the Dragon was in attendance for many.

• We worked with the Great Little Trains of Wales promote Welsh tourism. The community rail in the city event saw a temporary beach installed on the concourse at Birmingham New Street station. The initiative was recognised in the Association of Community Rail Partnerships Awards.

• Our Permanent Way gang have been out in all weathers ensuring the track and lineside is kept in tip top condition. Much of their efforts have been providing the new track layout for Aberystwyth station.

• Quarry Hunslet “Margaret” has been used on Driver for a Fiver all summer. It visited the Ffestinog Railway’s Hunslet 125 event in June and was reunited with several former Penrhyn Quarry locomotives • We’ve carried thousands of interesting passengers and our Guards have clipped hundreds of tickets.

• Our volunteers have worked hard to keep the railway looking spick and span including the upkeep of the flower beds at stations and restoration on the old lineside huts.

• Our shop goes from strength to strength – we’ve sold hundreds of books, gifts and souvenirs over the last year. Thanks for all of your purchases!

2018 was not without its challenges, extreme cold in March during the “Beast from the East” storm led to frozen water supplies and fallen trees, whilst in June, a period of hot dry weather forced the railway to close temporarily owing to the proximity of a fire in the valley.

These are just a few of the things which have happened on the line in the last 12 months.

Here’s to 2019!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Photography from John R Jones and VoR Collection

Page 22

Railway Reviews eview train through thjoey R e l g o Go steam ridge and en ing by B

avell vil’s issed. d at De ce of tr xperien stop at the en fe not to be m e le b a a C rgett ce to e Hoots reat pla an unfo Stephen Share elsh valley. G company in th s n W io n a p green m your co

Price

v ie w e R k o o , well Faceb tryside day e coun ur

th o njoyed to see rience as a family e d. e p x e nt all en Excelle e money, we e’ll recomm e e, w worth th out her ie Clark

Mar

e v ie w R r o s e. i v Tripad nchanting. tastic views of thaneisCeodu,natrnydsidit ois.

E ith fan ery well org what they d m.....w little ge condition. V d pleasure in is th n aculate ride an April B rnoon o an afte train in imm e immense p t n e p s tak am We e Staff tiful ste A beau vident that th e clearly

eview elled on the R k o o b av Face have tr Bridge into day to

er evil’s r a bett from D d sked fo steam train a arvelle . e n v r a ay retu ’t h r y we m Couldn Rheidol Railw rystwyth and heidol Valle this togethe e ut eR th P Abe th . d f n w o Vale of a lo e ridge e valley be f the whistle ve the th g n o a th ots d alo ou h y of travelle scener arriage, the to e train and y know that As we reathtaking c to th t f in a a o e r tr g g 20’s b n at the ng in an ope d the chuggin veryone. Was in their early ti e n it ll a r s a t fo h e u t r e wit ou go oing. uctor w pourin ful day steam r an wonder er and cond t they were d son a iv fo h r t. e d w ibby Nel recip L ainee lly enjoying day ou t tr a r, e r e g iv our dr and rea ank you for a Th

Page 23

About our staff About Our Staff Aled Richards

Engineer & Fireman Aled joined the railway in 2013, and is a man of many talents. He is our vehicle mechanic, our maintenance man, an engineer and a fireman on our line.

He is a keen cyclist and is regularly involved in events both as a participant and marshal, along with his family.

Aled is also a qualified cycling coach giving his time to develop future athletes.

As well as his two wheeled adventures he also has a history with four wheels being a former Welsh Road Rally Champion. Aled has competed in over 300 rallies, and also assists by marshalling events too.

Occasionally on his break he will take 40 winks under a desk with tools in hand!!!

Owen Gwillim Carpenter

Owen joined our team in February 2018 as part of the launch of our carriage project.

He is an experienced carpenter learning his trade in college at the young age of 16. He has an interest in restoration and antiques, so the chance to work as part of our team, when he had followed our line and its developments for so long was a fantastic opportunity.

In his spare time he enjoys walking and attending car boots and antiques fairs, in search of his next bargain project.

Page 24

NARROW GAUGE ALBUM - 1950 - 1965 IN COLOUR

by Michael Whitehouse

From the wilds of the west of Ireland, through the mountains of North Wales to the rolling countryside of the east of England ironstone fields, the narrow gauge railway provided an invaluable service for around a hundred years. Valuable minerals were carried from quarries and mines to seaports for onward transport, whilst remote areas that were without any transport connections were connected to the outside world for a fraction of the cost of a full size railway, their inhabitants no longer isolated from the benefits of travel and trade. However, as roads improved and the motor vehicle gained the upper hand, this way of life began to come under increasing threat and by the 1950s the narrow gauge systems that remained faced a bleak future. A few were fortunate to attract the attention of a new breed, ‘preservationists’, pioneers in a new field who initially just wanted to save something of what was about to be lost forever but who also recognised the potential of the lines that they were bent on saving. One such was Patrick Whitehouse, who not only took an active part in the movement but who also travelled far and wide to photograph many of the narrow gauge lines and systems before they were lost. In 1957, he compiled his seminal Narrow Gauge Album, which brought many of these wonderful but obscure railways to the attention of thousands of other enthusiasts, some of whom followed in his footsteps with their cameras. Now, PBW’s son Michael has delved in to the family and other archives to compile a similar album for the 21st century, accompanied by essays from a variety of well known names and sources.

£25.00 THE BALA BRANCH

by Martin F. Williams & Derek J. Lowe Not for many a day will the traveller forget that mountain ride.

So read the description of the journey along the twenty-five mile Bala branch in the GWR’s 1924 publicity booklet Welsh Mountain Railways. Running through the rugged Arenig Mountains in North Wales, the journey by train from Bala to Blaenau Ffestiniog was one of unique character.

Authors Martin F. Williams and Derek J. Lowe have enjoyed a lifelong interest in the Bala to Blaenau Ffestiniog line, its people and history. Many years of research have brought them into contact and close friendship with many who knew and worked on the line, providing a rare working insight into its day-to-day operation.

Using hundreds of photographs, with several in colour and many hitherto unpublished, together with informative text and captions, they take the reader on a fascinating journey along the line, back through time – from its earliest days until its closure to passengers in 1960, prompted by the flooding of the valley and the trackbed at Capel Celyn for the building of a reservoir to supply the City of Liverpool.

£25.00

Call in or phone our shop on 01970 625819 Page 25

THE LIVERIES OF THE PRE-GROUPING RAILWAYS

by Nigel Digby

This volume presents the liveries of the standard gauge steam railways in the east of the United Kingdom which became part of the London & North Eastern Railway in 1923. Originally published as a series of illustrated magazine articles between 1994 and 2006, this edition brings them together for the first time and features revised text, new paintings and new scrap views, combined with photographs, contemporary postcards, colour patches and a supplement to the glossary of paints and painting methods.

£12.00 THE STRATFORD-UPON-AVON & MIDLAND JUNCTIOPN RAILWAY

by Barry Taylor

The Stratford-upon-Avon & Midland Junction Railway was formed in 1909 by the amalgamation of three particularly unsuccessful small railways, with a fourth being absorbed in the following year.

The shareholders in these constituent companies had never seen anything in return for their investments but those that remained loyal to the new owners quickly received a modest dividend, which was to be repeated in every year of the existence of the S&MJR. Unfortunately, this period of operation was destined to be relatively short; after the initial progress had been interrupted by the rigours of the First World War, Britain’s railways were then amalgamated into four large groups in 1923 and the S&MJR lost its identity after just fourteen years of independence. The new owners, the London Midland & Scottish Railway, then developed the line as a useful cross-country freight artery, linking the west of England with London and the East Midlands, although passenger traffic continued to decline in the face of increasing competition from emerging local bus operators. The formation of British Railways in 1948 brought inevitable economies, resulting in the withdrawal of all passenger services by mid- 1952 but long distance crosscountry freight traffic continued to expand and was further facilitated by new connections provided at Fenny Compton and Stratford in 1960. However, this optimism was to be short-lived and by early 1967, all of the lines had been closed with the exception of the short length from Fenny Compton to the large Ministry of Defence establishment at Kineton, which remains open today as the last operational remnant of the old S&MJR. Over the years since closure, the physical remains of the old railway have gradually disappeared from the landscape but its legacy has lived on locally, where it continues to be remembered as the ‘SMJ’.

£35.00

visit our online shop https://stores.ebay.co.uk/valeofrheidolrailway Page 26

Garden Railway Shop BOWANDE PORTER Technical Parameters 1.Scale: 1/20.3 scale 2.Rail Gauge: 45mm 3. Dimensions: L210 x W90 x H137mm 4.NW:1.63KGS 5. Wheel Configuration: 0-4-0 6. Fuel: Butane gas 7.Power mode: live steam 8.Rail:1100#, rail radius 600mm

Model Features 1.Stephenson reversing gear 2.Single combustion tube 3.Butane only 4.Working safety valve 5.Working whistle 6.Water gauge

Only £500.00 IP ENGINEERING LASER CUT FREELANCE COACH KIT RANGE Following the success of the IP Engineering classic range of coaches they have brought them into the 21st century by the use of their two laser cutting machines.

They require no sanding of joints or cutting as they all fit together to give a very accurate and crisp piece of rolling stock.

All of the kits are complete with all castings, axle boxes, bogies, buffers and steel wheel sets

insulated for 45 mm gauge. They are scaled to look good behind your steam or electric loco!

All that you need to complete is a little time, glue and paint.

Several types are available see our online store or visit our railway shop for more information.

Prices range between £44.00 & £75.00 Page 27

WIN

Accucraft 7/8ths Bagnall Live Steam Engine - Worth £1250

cket i t r e p £2 3 for £5

Buy you Raffle Ticket Today!

Buy online through our website or call 01970 625819 All proceeds from the raffle go to our carriage fund

Visit our model and garden rail shop online

www.rheidolrailway.co.uk Page 28

2019 Timetable 1. Pick your day of travel from the calendar.

2. Match the colour to the relevant timetable below.

Please note there are no services on white days.

MARCH 2019 M T W T F S 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 27 28 29 30

S 3 10 17 24 31

JUNE 2019 M T W T F S 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 10 11 12 13 14 15 17 18 19 20 21 22 24 25 26 27 28 29

S 2 9 16 23 30

M 1 8 15 22 29

APRIL 2019 T W T F S 2 3 4 5 6 9 10 11 12 13 16 17 18 19 20 23 24 25 26 27 30

S 7 14 21 28

MAY 2019 M T W T F S 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24 25 27 28 29 30 31

S 5 12 19 26

M 1 8 15 22 29

T 2 9 16 23 30

JULY 2019 W T F S 3 4 5 6 10 11 12 13 17 18 19 20 24 25 26 27 31

S 7 14 21 28

AUGUST 2019 M T W T F S 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 31

S 4 11 18 25

OCTOBER 2019 M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Page 17

FEBRUARY 2019 M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

NOVEMBER 2019 M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Aberystwyth Capel Bangor Aberffrwd Devil’s Bridge Devil’s Bridge Aberffrwd Capel Bangor Aberystwyth

dep: dep: dep: arr: dep: dep: dep: arr:

ORANGE 10:30 2:00 10:50 2:20 11:10 2:40 11:30 3:00 12:30 4:15 12:50 4:35 1:10 4:55 1:30 5:15

Aberystwyth Capel Bangor Aberffrwd Devil’s Bridge Devil’s Bridge Aberffrwd Capel Bangor Aberystwyth

dep: dep: dep: arr: dep: dep: dep: arr:

10:30 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:30 12:50 1:10 1:30

12:10 12:30 12:50 1:15 2:15 2:35 2:55 3:15

10:30 10:50 11:10 11:30 12:30 12:50 1:10 1:30 GREEN 2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00 4:00 4:20 4:40 5:00

SEPTEMBER 2019 M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Why not Upgrade to the First Class Saloon?

for seating that yields extra comfort and observation windows.

YELLOW 12:10 2:00 12:30 2:20 12:50 2:40 1:15 3:00 2:15 4:00 2:35 4:20 2:55 4:40 3:15 5:00 3:45 4:05 4:25 4:45 5:45 6:05 6:25 6:45

6:00 6:20 6:40 7:00 8:00 8:20 8:40 9:00

3:45 4:05 4:25 4:45 5:45 6:05 6:25 6:45 GOLD 11:00 11:20 11:40 12:00 2:00 2:20 2:40 3:00

Romance of a Steam Train to your Special Day..

Add the

Aberystwyth’s most unique wedding reception venue

With a variety of opportunities and locations, the possibilities are endless.

From using the Steam train to get from the ceremony to the reception venue, or even holding your reception at one of our charming stations.

The Railway is completely flexible to make your dream day come true.

Contact us on 01970 625 819

marketing@rheidolrailway.co.uk www.rheidolrailway.co.uk Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG

Photo by Gareth Jones

www.rheidolrailway.co.uk

Telephone us: 01970 625 819 - Park Avenue, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG Regular steam train services running throughout the year